A group of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) employees, led by the Association of Concerned CDC Employees (ACCES), held a noise barrage and motorcade protest on Friday to express their opposition to the withholding of their Allowances, Benefits, and Incentives (ABI).
The ABIs include allowances, incentives, retirement benefits, and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage, which have not been granted since August 2023, the workers' association said.
The issue stemmed from the implementation of the Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS), which has resulted in severe injustice, particularly for many rank-and-file employees, according ACCES.
ACCES has filed a preventive mediation case with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region III due to CDC management’s alleged refusal to negotiate or offer the economic provisions stipulated in the 2020–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The union highlighted the alleged violation of Article 100 of the Labor Code, which prohibits the elimination or reduction of existing employee benefits.
ACCES is calling on the Office of the President in Malacañang to intervene and address the issue to ease the financial burden on the affected employees.
The workers' union asserted that they will continue their peaceful protest actions until the withheld ABIs are reinstated and the provisions of the CBA are fully enforced in accordance with the law.